When a person sees a floater, it may be disturbing since they may appear out
of nowhere and could be startling. If the floaters are seen frequently,
you should consult with your ophthalmologist, especially if you are an elderly
person.

As the fluid in the eye decreases, there is a possibility that the retina can
be damaged. If this happens, you may experience what seem to be new
floaters in the eye. This is actually a small amount of blood from where
the retina was damaged. When the retina is damaged, it could lead to
retinal detachment, which is a very serious problem. If you notice any
changes in your vision such as loss of peripheral vision, rapid flashes of
light, and an increase in the amount of floaters, you should consult with an
ophthalmologist immediately so they can check to see if you have a torn retina.

Floaters are very bothersome when you are trying to perform such tasks as driving, reading, or watching television. Usually, moving your eyes around will get rid of the floaters. However, some floaters will continue
to stay in your vision, and most of them will fade away as time progresses.
Regular eye examinations should be performed if you have ever experienced
floaters. This may help detect problems in your eyes, before they become
too serious.

Definition of Flashes

Flashes occur when the fluid in the eyes is pulling on the retina. You
may observe what appears to be a streak of lightning or quick flashes of light
in your field of vision. If you have ever rubbed your eyes until you see
stars or streaks of light, then you have experienced flashes.

The Cause of Flashes

These flashes may be reoccurring over a long span of time, primarily as we
age. People who are middle-age are more apt to have these flashes than
younger people. As with floaters, if you notice these flashes occurring
more frequently, you should consult with your ophthalmologist as soon as possible to see if you have damage to the retina. A bright flash of light
may cause flashes as well as a hard whack to the head.

People who suffer from migraines commonly experience flashes. These
flashes often last up to 20 minutes. They may be caused when a blood
vessel in the brain is experiencing a spasm, this is called a migraine. A
migraine headache is what happens when you experience a headache after seeing
these flashes. An ophthalmic migraine is described as seeing heat waves or
jagged lines like lightning bolts without experiencing a headache.

A proper examination conducted by an ophthalmologist will consist of the
doctor dilating your pupils, so that they can analyze your retina for damage and
look for abnormalities in the fluid in the eyes. You should take somebody
with you to this examination because after dilation your eyesight will not
return to normal for roughly an hour, so it is not safe for you to drive.

As we age, experiencing floaters and flashes becomes more frequent.
Although they may not be serious, having a regular eye exam is essential.

Source: The American Academy of Ophthalmology
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